Jatiya Party office in Bijoynagar vandalised, set ablaze

The Jatiya Party office in Bijoynagar in the capita was vandalised and set on fire by a group of individuals around 6:30 pm on Saturday. 

The incident has sparked tension in the area, with a significant presence of law enforcement personnel.

According to eyewitnesses, the unrest began around 3:45 pm when leaders and activists of the Gono Odhikar Parishad blocked roads by burning tires and initiated a protest march. 

The procession moved from Paltan intersection toward Kakrail, heading toward their office. 

Upon reaching the Jatiya Party office, the group hurled bricks and stones at the police, leading to a clash. 

During the confrontation, a group vandalised the Jatiya Party office and set it on fire. Police resorted to baton charges to disperse the protesters.

Earlier on the day, Shamim Haider Patwary, Secretary General of a Jatiya Party faction, held a press conference at the office. 

He referenced a prior incident on Friday, where individuals attempted to set the office ablaze during a torch procession. 

Patwary credited the army and police for preventing harm to party leaders and activists, urging for a stronger army presence for the country's stability.

The unrest follows a Friday evening procession by the Gono Odhikar Parishad, which demanded a ban on the Jatiya Party. 

When the procession reached the Jatiya Party office, a clash erupted between the marchers and Jatiya Party activists, injuring Rashed, the General Secretary of the Gono Odhikar Parishad. 

In response, the Gono Odhikar Parishad organised a torch procession, during which over a hundred activists attempted to set the Jatiya Party office on fire. 

They clashed with police, using bricks and local weapons, resulting in a head injury to a policeman. Army personnel later intervened to restore order.

Additionally, Gono Odhikar Parishad held an emergency press conference around 9:30 pm on Saturday. 

As leaders and activists headed to the venue around 9:15 pm, law enforcement chased them. Joint forces attacked Nurul Haque Nur and others in front of the Gono Odhikar Parishad office, escalating tensions further.